Stockholm is the capital and largest city of Sweden, located on the east coast of the country. It is situated where Lake Mälaren, Sweden's third-largest lake, flows into the Baltic Sea. The city is uniquely spread across fourteen islands connected by numerous bridges, forming part of the Stockholm archipelago
. Geographically, Stockholm lies at approximately 59°19′46″N latitude and 18°4′7″E longitude. It is positioned at the eastern end of the Central Swedish lowland, near the Bergslagen region, and serves as a major cultural, political, and economic center in Sweden and the Nordic countries
. The city's metropolitan area includes a mix of urban and natural landscapes, with over 30% of the city area consisting of waterways and another 30% covered by parks and green spaces. Stockholm County surrounds the city and extends into parts of the traditional provinces of Södermanland and Uppland
. In summary, Stockholm is located on Sweden’s east coast at the junction of Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, spanning multiple islands in the Stockholm archipelago, making it a distinctive and scenic capital city in Northern Europe
